Hope in Impossible Situations

Finding Hope in Impossible Situations

By Jill Briscoe

“Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!”” ~ John 19:26-27

Take courage! Jesus did more with His hands tied than anyone else on earth! When Pilate sent Jesus to Herod, Herod’s soldiers tied His hands behind His back so they could better buffet Him. Then they sent Him back to Pilate. “That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for before that they had been at enemity” (Luke 23:12). Jesus had an amazing effect on people, even when they hated Him. He even helped people get over their quarrels when His hands were tied!

The centurion untied Jesus’ hands, only to nail them firmly in place upon the cross! But think what Jesus did when His hands were nailed into place – the centurion came to Christ! When Jesus’ hands were tied, He never stopped helping people! Seeing His mother standing at the foot of the cross watching Him die, and seeing His best earthly friend supporting her, He gave His mother into John’s hands. He could no longer take care of Mary; His hands were tied. But He still had a mind alert enough to plan for those He loved, and even through His desperate thirst, He could still speak words of encouragement. Jesus, choosing to die, could not do much for Mary and John, but He did what He could – and it was enough.

Are your hands tied? Are you imagining yourself helplessly restricted? Think about Jesus. Ask Him for a way around the dilemma. He’ll show you! He’ll tell you, “It’s amazing what you can do when your hands are tied!”

Lord, thank You for all Your loving care for me. Your great power and concern for all of us comes through in such small details of Your Word. Help me look for ways I can do Your work in my life, even when I feel like my ‘hands are tied.’ Show me how to bring true help and relief into the lives of those around me. Amen.